Office presence increasingly linked to bonuses and career progression
Being physically present at work is increasingly linked to higher salaries and better career prospects, according to new research released by specialist recruiter Robert Half.
The study, conducted online in October 2025 among 500 finance, accounting, IT, technology, and HR hiring managers, found that two-thirds (68%) of employers have adjusted employee salaries based on how frequently staff attend the office in the past two years. A similar proportion (69%) has modified bonus structures to reflect in-office presence.
Nearly all companies surveyed (96%) now require staff to attend the workplace more frequently than they did two years ago. To ease the transition, 97% of those businesses have introduced new measures to make office attendance more attractive. The most common incentives include higher bonuses or allowances (69%), extra pay (68%), wellness programs or mental health support (33%), and flexible working hours (33%).
Visibility in workplace linked to career progression
Beyond immediate pay, the findings also point to a broader pattern in career advancement. Some 77% of employers said proximity to leadership – achieved through regular office attendance – positively influences both compensation and career progression, while 19% reported no noticeable impact.
Clinton Marks, director at Robert Half, said the link between attendance and pay was unlikely to reflect a deliberate company-wide policy.
“While some employers say office attendance is influencing salary and bonus decisions, this is unlikely to reflect a formal or consistently applied policy,” Marks said. “In practice, it is more likely to show up in subtle ways, where visibility, access to leadership, and perceived contribution shape how people are rewarded and progressed.”
Marks cautioned against reading the data as a case for lower pay in flexible roles.
“It is also important not to assume that flexibility is worth less, or that more flexible roles should come with lower compensation. The real risk for organisations is that these decisions become influenced by proximity rather than measured performance.”
He added that the implications for workplace equity deserve closer attention.
“Visibility is quietly becoming a form of currency in today’s workplace. While proximity to leadership can accelerate career progression, it also creates a challenge for organisations to ensure that recognition and opportunity are not unintentionally skewed towards those who are simply more present. The focus needs to shift towards designing systems where contribution is measured consistently, regardless of where the work is done,” Marks noted.
The survey covered respondents from small and medium enterprises, as well as large private, publicly listed, and public sector organisations.
